Machine for making spring liners



"April 17, 1951 A. sHANER ETAL 2,549,338

MACHINE FOR MAKING SPRING LINERS Filed Nov. 2o, 1948 9 sheets-sheet 1 INVENTOR. ./O//A/ C HAM/JON A/w/m/vy WAMP/P PMP/a A. SHANER ETAL MACHINE AFOR MAKING SPRING LINERS April 17, 1951 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 20, 1948 April 17, 1951 A. sHANER l-:TAL

MACHINE FOR MAKING SPRING LINERs Filed Nov. 20, 1948 April 17,* 1951 A. sHANER ETAL I MACHINE FOR MAKING SPRING LINERS sa sheets-sheet 4 Filed Nov. 20, 1948 April 17, 1951 A. sHANr-:R ETAL MACHINE F'OR MAKING SPRING LINERS 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 :ELE- 1E Filed Nov. 20, 1948 April 17, 1951 A. SHANER rs1-AL MACHINE FOR MAKING SPRING LINERS 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Nov. 20, 1948 M w mwN ma W5 IM HG Ay HN ,Cw M MW @AW 6 J mmm M/ u t/ E .mo.m...l- 1w ||\.\l 1- HW.\\ \^Y x Ubmm MLrRN Il le e M+! o Hicom il i1 i NZ N N NON Mm S m. mmvom m mm @Q N2 i: @2 .v2 v M l n\o mlmufmlllIl 2 o O2 @.omwom Y x md l Q: m9 -JH April 17, 1951 A. sHANr-:R ET AL 2,549,338

MACHINE FOR MAKING SPRING LINERs Filed Nov. 20, 1948 9 Sheets-Sheet'? lApril 17, 1951 A. sHANER ETAI.

MACHINE FOR MAKING SPRING LINERS 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed Nov. 20, 1948 IN V EN TOR. dO//N C`.- HAMPSO/V A April 17, 1951 A. sHANER ErAL 25549338 MACHINE FoR MAKING SPRING LINERs A Filed Nov. 2 0, 1948 '9 sheets-Sheet 9 28330 FIEQLE y l Bo 'V lll m INVENT R.

By/6M@ 70ML A rra/Wins as they adyance thereof/ter.

Patented Apr. 17, 1951 MACHINE FOR MAKING SPRING LlNERS Anthony Shaner and John C. Hampson, Detroit,

Mich., assignors to Falls Spring & `Wire Company,vDetroit, Mich., a corporation of Michi-` gan, and Great Lakes Spring Corporation, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application November 20, 1948, Serial No. 61,266

23 Claims.

. 1 This invention relates to machines for fabricating composite articles of Wire and fabric or the like and particularly to machines for making spring liners or mats adapted to be interposed between a spring unit and the upholstering covering material. Y

' An important object of this invention is to provide a machine-of the above mentioned character which rapidly and inexpensively produces a composite Wire and fabric article for use as a spring liner or the like. An important object of this invention is to provide a machine of this character which is automatic in operation and except for the occasional attendance of the operator to see that a suflicient amount of wire and fabric lis available operates automatically for long periods of time without the Anecessity of any manual labor. A vfurther important object of ythe invention is to provide an improved machine for assembling and connecting together reversely or sinuously bent Wire stock and fabric strips Which functions in a .continuous manner, separately Vreceiving the wire stock and fabric at one end and discharging the same from the other end in the desired connected condition.

l -In carrying out the invention into a practical embodiment, a group of mechanisms are brought into intimate cooperated relationship and through the 4combined action of each, starting with a source of reversely `bent wire stock and a source vof fabric or liner material, the two `elements `are continuously advanced endwise in superimposed relationship over `a supporting table and stitched .or otherwise secured together An important feature of the invention relates to `the conveyor mechanism for engaging the wire stock as it enters upon the table and maintaining such engagement until the opposite end of the table is reached where the wire stock is automatically released rfrom fthe conveyor. Another important feature of the invention rela-tes `to :the mechanism for feeding one .or more strips of fabric or liner material Ato the .Wire stock and securing same together as they advance vover the table, and particularly to fthe provision for `folding a `strip or liner material `over one cr 'both side margins of the wire stock as it'enters upon the table. A further important feature of the *invention relates to ythe mechanism for stitching the `liner material to the Wire stock and particularly tothe provision for ,preventing the stitching needle from breaking in the eventV it should strike a portion ,of the -wire stock in operation. @ther features 'of the invention relate to :the

Y liner material onto the table lin overlapping relaadaptability of the machine for making various kinds of spring liners and the adjustability of the parts to vary the operation of the separate mechanisms. Y

Various other objects, advantages and meritorious features of this invention will become more fully apparent from the following specification, appended claims and accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. lis a side elevation of a machine embodying the invention,

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view through a forward portion of the machine taken along line 22 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail interior view of a forward part of the machine illustrating the manner of feeding both the wire stock and the tionship, i

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional View through a forward part of the machine illustrating the driving connections for the feeding and conveyor mechanisms,

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentaryview illustrating the manner in which the conveyor mechanism receives and advances the wire stock for travel over the table, f

Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail perspective View of the link organization of the conveyor mechanism,

Fig. 7 is a rvertical sectional view taken through an intermediate portion of the machine along line 7 1 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional vieW through an intermediate portionzof the machine taken along line 8 3 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 9 is a detail horizontal sectional view of a portion of. the machine adjacent to a stitching mechanism taken along line 9 9 of Fig. 8,

Fig. 10 lis a vtop plan view of a stitching mechanism taken along line lill0 of Fig. 8,

Fig. =11 is a vertical sectional view taken through the machine adjacent to the rear end thereof along line Ill-l l of Fig. 1,

Fig. 12 is a rear'end view of the machine illustrated in Fig. -1 taken along line |2-l2 thereof,

Fig. `13 isa side elevation of an attachment adaptedto be mounted on the rear end of the machine of Fig. 1,

Fig.'14 is a vertical sectional view through the attachment of Fig. 13 taken along line 'hl- I4 thereof,

Fig. A15 Ais a vertical sectional view through the attachment'of Fig. 13 taken along line l5--l'5 thereof,

Fig. 16 is a perspective view of a. portion of a spring liner produced by the machine of the present invention, and

Fig. 17 is a perspective view of a modified form of spring liner produced by the machine.

The machine illustrated in the drawings is particularly adapted for the manufacture of spring liners and in general comprises means foi` feeding separate elements of the liner upon a platform or table, conveying the same along the table in juxtaposed relationship, stitching or otherwise securing same together, and releasing the secured parts of the liner from the conveyor at the discharge end of the machine.

Referring to Fig. l, the machine in general comprises a supporting frame including an inverted substantially U-shaped floor engaging frame member I6 at the forward end of the machine and a similar frame member I2 at the rear end of the machine, the two being connected by a low-lying horizontal frame member I4. The forward Afloor engaging frame member I supports a frame assembly generally indicated at I6 including as shown in Fig. 2 a pair of sprocket wheels I8-I8 rotatable about a common horizontal axis and a pair of toothed wheels 20-20 also rotatable about a common horizontal axis and spaced vertically above the sprocket wheel assembly I8I8. The rear floor engaging frame member I2 supports a frame assembly generally indicated at 22 including as shown in Fig. 11 a pair of sprocket wheels 24-24 rotatable about a common axis. Each pair of sprocket wheels IB-I 8 and 24-24 are located on opposite sides of the machine and in alignment with one another such that the sprocket wheels on one side of the machine may support and move an endless linked chain 26 and the sprocket wheels on the other side may similarly support and move an endless linked chain 28.

The two frame assemblies I6 and 22 are connected together by longitudinally extending frame members comprising a pair of inwardly opening channel shaped side bars 38-30. The side bars SI1-30 extend parallel to one another on a level approximating the axes of rotation of the sprocket wheels. Spaoed above the side bars and extending longitudinally the length of the machine is a platform assembly including a central platform section or table 32 and two correspondingly shaped outer platform or table sections 34-34 on opposite sides of the central section and extending parallel but in slight spaced relationship thereto.

vForwardly of the center of the machine, as shown in Fig. 7, the platform assembly is supported in raised position above the side bars -30 by a pair of correspondingly shaped brackets 36-3B located on opposite sides of the longitudinal median line of the machine. The lower ends of the brackets 36 are flanged outwardly and bear upon the side bar 3l] over which they are disposed and may be secured thereto by bolts 38. The upper ends of the brackets 36 are flanged inwardly and each supports an inwardly projecting longitudinally extending plate 40. Each plate 46 proiects beyond the inner edge of the platform section 34 with which it is associated and by means of spacer members 42 and 44 respectively supports the outer platform section 34 and the central platform or table 32. As shown in Figure 1. a similar set of platform supporting brackets 31-31 and associated elements may be provided rearwardly of the center of the machine.

' the machine and At the forward end of the machine, as shown in Figs. l and 2, the frame assembly I6 is supported by means of a transversely extending plate 46, which is bolted or otherwise secured to the upper end of the U-shaped floor engaging support ID. Included in the frame assembly I6 are two transversely spaced apart uprights or frame members 48 and 50 having their lower ends supported upon the plate 46. Intermediate their heights the two uprights 48 and 50 are provided with correspondingly shaped inwardly projecting ledges 52-52 which support the forward end of the platform assembly. Mounted on the ledges are the forward ends of the plates 4I] which as previously described in Vconnection with Fig. 7 project inwardly beyond the side platform sections 34--34 and under the central table section 32. Both the platform sections 34-34 and the table 32 are respectively supported on spacer blocks 54 and 56 similar to that shown in Fig. V'7.

An organization generally similar to that shown in Fig. 2 is provided at the rear end of includes two transversely spaced apart uprights or frame members 58-58 bolted or otherwise secured at their bases to a transverse plate 60 supported upon the upper end of the floor engaging frame member I2. The

rear ends of the plates 40-40 previously described are supported on the upper ends of the uprights 58-58 and by means of spacer blocks 62 and 64 each plate 4D respectively supports the outer platform sections 34 and the table 32 under which it extends.

The forward set of sprocket wheels I8-I8 as shown in Fig. 2 are fixed to a common shaft 66 journaled at its opposite ends into uprights 48 and 5D. The toothed wheels 20--20 are fixed to a common shaft 68 similarly journaled at its opposite ends in the upright members. The two shafts are driven together from the same source of power. As shown in Fig. 4 rotatably supported in the hollow interior of the upright frame member 58 is a vertically extending shaft 'I0 operatively engaging at its upper end the shaft Y68 through a set of beveled gears 'I2 and operatively engaging at its lower end shaft 66 through a set of beveled gears 74. Fixed to the intermediate portion of the shaft 'IIJ is a pinion 16, the teeth of which engage a worm gear 'I6 mounted on and rotatable with a horizontally extending drive shaft 80. Actually. for the purpose of adjustment hereinafter described, the toothed wheels 20-20 are not directly connected to the shaft 68 but are circularly adjustably supported upon the plates 82-82 of smaller diameter which are connected by hubs 84-84 to the shaft 68. Bolts 86 extending through arcuate slots 88 (Fig. 3) in the toothed wheels serve to adjustably secure the wheels to the vplates 82 within the limit of movement provided by the slots. Similarly, the rear set of sprocket wheels 24-24 are fixed to a common shaft 9U which as shown in Fig. 11 has its opposite ends journaled in the upright frame members 58-58 for rotation.

As previously mentioned endless conveyor chains 26 and 28 are trained or passed over the sprocket wheels and are endlessly driven thereby. The sprocket wheels I8-I8 and 24-24 are located below and in line with the spaces or slotted openings between the central section 32 of the platform assembly and the outer platform sections 34-34 thereof. The upper section of each endless chains 26 and 28 extends onsubstantially the level of the platform assembly and runs the yguided at the forward end ofthe machine over the plates All- 4B and below the slotted openings vbetween the center sectiony 32 of the platform yand the outer sections 34-34.' The plates Mft-e0 serve as supports for the chain lengths advanced thereover and together lwith the slotted openings between the platform sections and the spacer blocks on either side thereof form tracks along which the chains are guided. In operation, the sprocket wheels iii- I8 and 24-24 rotate in the direction of the arrows in Fig. 1. causing the upper portions of the two endless chains to travel from the forward end of the platform to the rear end thereof. 'Ihel relation ofthe plates 40-49 to the height of the links of the chains is'such that the upper side of the links extends approximately flush with the upper surfaces of the platform,

' there being provided a slight projection on each link hereinafter described which rises above the level of the platform .for the purpose of gripping c vthe wire stock fed to the machine. Although the ,platform is longitudinally: slotted to provide a pair of parallel tracks for two endless Vchains onv either side of the center line thereof,it is .manifestly obvious that in certain machines of this i The spring liner produced by the machine is formed of bent wire stock and one or more strips of fabric, such as burlap, gunny sack or any other suitable material. Figs. 16 and 1'7 illustrate two forms of such spring liner. The wire stock is generally indicated at 92 and as shown is Vreversely bent to provide 'a plurality of sinuous lateral turns forming a successive series of laterally projecting portions 94 connected at alternate ends by relatively short longitudinal portions 96. The'wire stock thus formed provides a sinuous zig-zagr reinforcement for the spring liner. portions of the reversely bent wire stock are strips of fabric indicated by the characters 98-s8. One fold of each strip may be wider ythan the other vas illustrated lor of tl'ie same dimensions. The folded overlapping portions of each strip Si! are stitched together between the wire portions 94 as indicatedby they line of stitching |06. Additionalparallel'lines of stitching may beprovided in those instances where additional vsecurement is desired.

Thefform of spring liner illustrated'in Figsvl'l is similar to that shown in Fig. 16 except an additional strip of burlap or the like |02 is stitched to the central portion of the wire stock. rThe strip may be relatively narrow as shownor substantially wider depending upon the use of the liner. Two rows ofv stitching IDL-|04 are employed to secure the central strip |62 to the wire stock. In all forms, the stitching threads are looped over or under therlateral portions 94 of the wire stock securely connecting the fabric to the wire.

As previously mentioned, the separate elements constituting the spring liner are fed into the forward end of the .platform and arer advanced by the conveyor mechanism from the forward end to the rear end of the platform. As shown in Figv l, one of the burlap fabric strips 98is taken in :dat form oif of a roll |96 rotatably supported on one side of the machine on a stud shaft |08 carried by bracket 'A similar roll and support therefor is provided on the other side of the Folded over either orfbothside marginall machine. Each fabric strip isk delivered upward- 1y' vertically and passes through a folding tube or sleeve V||2 and over a roller I i4 adjacent to the forward end of therplatformV and inline with the outer section 34 thereof. The shaft of each roller ||4 is supported by a vertical bai` ||6 mounted in any suitable manner upon a forwardly projecting horizontally extending bar ||8 forming part of the frame assembly I6. The lower end of the supporting bar carries a bracket |20 upon which the folding sleeve ||2- stock 'therefrom and carries it upon the for-y ward end ofthe platform. The toothed wheels 21B-2|) of the present machine engage the wire stock by interposing the teeth A|22 thereof between the laterally extending portions 94 of the l wire stockin the manner shown in Figs. 3 and |22 vis generally triangularly Y lshaped vhaving its basewide yenough to pass 5. Each toothl between successive lateral portions 94 of the wire stock and hold the same with little or no play relative to the wheel.' The toothed wheels are arranged in cooperative relationship withv the discharge'end of the wire bending machine v in position to receive the wire stock therefrom.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the toothed wheels are disposed immediately :adjacent totheforming drums of the wire bending machine, one of which is shown at |24 and mayfcorrespond to one of the pair of forming drums 5S and 5l of the Van Dresser et al. patent previously mentioned. Immediately as the wire stock is discharged from the forming drums |24, they are picked up by the teeth |22 of the wheels 2li-2|] and conveyed downwardly in an arcuate path to the forward' end of the'platform Vas shown in Fig. 3..

To hold the wire-stock in close engagement with the-'toothed wheels '2d-25J and after it is V'received thereon, there is associated with each toothed' wheel a guiding member which acts to deeply seat 'the wire stock between the teeth |22 for theangular distance of movement between the point where the wire stock is received on the wheels and thebottom sidethereof above the entering end of the'platform. Referring particularly to Fig. 3, there is shown an arcuate segment |26 adjacent to vthe periphery of each toothed wheel 2|) and having the same curvature as the wheel. in lateral offset relationship to the teeth |22 so that the latter may pass closely thereby and in slightly yspaced relation to the peripheral base of the wheel from which the teeth project in order to allow the wire stock to be received therebetween. The arcuate segment extends from therpoint approximately where the wire stock is fed on the toothed wheel to a point just above the entering end of the platform as shown in Fig. 3. The segment |25 is supported in any suitable manner such as by the vertical rod |28 having a downwardly curving end section |30 to which the outer side of the* segment is welded or otherwise secured.

This arcuate segment isdisposed as shown in Fig. 1.

galassia When the machine of the present invention is disposed immediately adjacent to the discharge end of the wire bending machine of the character previously mentioned, it is desirable to connect the moving parts of the two machines together for synchronized operation. For this purpose the driving shaft 8i) for the sprocket wheels |8|8 and the toothed wheels 20--20 extends forwardly and is clutched to a Shaft |32 forming part of the wire bending machine. The latter shaft projects into an adjacent housing 4of the wire bending machine and may be operatively connected to the driving mechanism thereof by means of the set of beveled gears |34 For convenience, the bar |28 which carries the arcuate segment |26 may be xed to a base portion |36 of the wire bending machine and similarly the bracket which carries the stud shaft for the fabric strip roll may be likewise mounted on the wire bending machine as shown in Fig. 1. Y

`is caused to engage the outer side of the toothed wheel along which it-passes andV is bent upwardly and outwardly thereby vto an inclined position.4v In this manner, the wire stock fed by the teeth |22 to the platform is dropped upon the horizontal fold section of the fabric strip Aadvancing on the platform section 34 while the inclined'folded section ofthe strip is advanced `in raised position above vthe Wire stock alongside' ofthe toothed wheel between same and Athe adjacent upright 48 or 5E! of the machine.

The particular position assumed by the two folded sections of each strip under the toothed wheels is shown in Fig. 2.

The wire stock'92 as it is fed upon the platform has a lateral dimension such that it overlies the tracks through whichV the endless chains 26 and 28 are guided and projects outwardly therebeyond for support upon the outer platform sections 34-34 as shown in Fig. 2. The endless chains as they pass upwardly around the forward set of sprocket wheels |8-|8 are shaped in a particular manner to engage the laterally extending portions 94 of the wire stock and convey the same in this engaged relationship the full length of the machine. This operation is accomplished by the special Vdesign of the individual links making up each chain.

Referring to Figs. 5 and 6, each endless chain comprises a series of links |38 pivotally connected together in endwise relationship and `adapted to engage the teeth |46 of the sprocket wheels in the conventional manner. Each link is constructed in a novel manner for engaging the lateral portion 94 of the wire stock as it is delivered to the forward end of the platform by the toothed wheels 2li-2B. Each link comprises a pair of parallel vertically extending spaced apart side plates |42 and |44. The side plates of each link have their opposite ends overlapping upon the ends of the corresponding side plates of the next adjacent links of the chain as in conventional practice. Overlapping the ends of the plates are apertures as at |43 in Fig. 6 to receive the ends of transversely extending pivot pins |48 in order to allow the links to pivot with respect to one another as they travel around the sprocket wheels and assume their straight line motion between the sprocket wheels. Supported `of the link with a raised edged portion by eachpivot'pin is spacer sleeve l5!! which is 'at the desired spaced relation to be received ovei` the teeth of the sprocket wheels. The end of the pins |48 projecting through the side plates 42 are headed or otherwise shaped for abutting engagement with the outside faces thereof. The opposite ends of the pins project from the side plates |44 and are held against withdrawal by removable cotter pins or the like. As shown, this may be accomplished by utilizing elongated cotter pins |52 which extend between each pair ofV pins and through the projecting ends thereof to hold the same on the chain. As the chains pass around the sprocket wheels the sleeves |50 carried by the pins ride into the notches between the Vsprocket teeth |40 and upon rotation of the .forward set of sprocket wheels in the direction of the arrows in Figs. 1 and 5, the chains will advance through theitracks vfrom the forward end of the platform to the rear end thereof.

Each adjacent pair of links of the endless chains are provided with jaw-like means for releasably gripping the wire stock as it enters upon the platform for conveying the wire stock to the other end of the platform where the jaws automatically open to release the wire stock. This is accomplished in the manner illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6 by providing each side plate |44 |54 which has a longitudinal length approximately equal to the distance between the successive lateral portions 94 of the wire stock and which terminates substantially opposite tothe axes of the two pivot Apins |48 extending through the plate. The opposite ends of the raised portion |54 of each link are undercut to provide wire receiving recesses or notches |56. vThese notches are arranged to cooperate with similar notches `in the plates |44 of the next adjacent links to form jaws which are self-operable to open and close. The relation of each pair of cooperating notches is such-that when the links move in a straight line, as between the forward and rear sets of sprocketwheels, the jaws are in closed position, but when the links pass around either the forward or rear set of sprocket wheels, the jaws are in open position.

. Thus when the links |38 on the forward set of sprocket wheels |S|8 move upwardly for advancement upon the tracks, the jaws are open to receive the lateral portions 94 of the wire stock, and as shown in Fig. 5 these wire sections are successively fed into the open jaws as they are freed from the teeth of the wheels 20-20. Due

vicy-the notches |56 receive the wire sections 94 as they pass under the wheels ZIJ-20. Thereafter as the links pivot with respect to one another to assume their straight line motion through the tracks of the platform, the jaws vclose upon the wire sections received therein and effectively grip the same throughout the travel .of the wire stock over the platform. A similar but reverse operation occurs when the chain links assesseare engaged by the rear Set ofsprocket wheels 24-24 and carried downwardly therea-round. The links pivot with respect to one another 'to spread the notches |56 thereof and open theejaws allowing the wire stock to be released therefrom. The rotative relationship of the toothed wheels to the sprocket wheels a-t the forward end Iof the platform is such as to transfer the wire stock from the toothed wheels into the jaws of the chain links as the two come together; Any ad justment that may be necessary to eeet this transfer in an efficient ina-hner may abe accomM plished by circularly shifting the toothed wheels on their supporting plates 82 by loosening the connecting bolts 86. During the movement of the jaws along their respective tracks, the raised edged por-tions |54 of the links project above the level of the platform sections as shown in Figs; 2, '7 and 11 and the jaws thereof maintain 'their grip on the wire stock without interference `until the rear end of the platform is -reached. e

Shortly after leaving the sprocket and toothed wheel assemblies at the forward end of the platform, the upwardly inclined fold section of each fabric strip is positively urged against the wire stock for the stitching operation to be followed thereafter. For this purpose, there is provided the two opposite platform sections 34-34 adjacent to the toothed .wheels Eil-2B, a plate mem ber under which the folded fabric strips must pass. As shown in Fig. '7, a narrow horizontally extending plate |58 is supported in slightly spaced relationship above each platform section 34.V The plate is provided with a vertical section |56 which is bolted to a right angular bracketmember |t2 extending along and supported upon the outer margin of the platform section 34. The bracket members |2-|62 on opposite sides of the platform are spaced apart just sufficient to allow Vthe wire stock and the fabric folded .there-v over to pass therebetween and in this manner the wire vstock is held from lateral movement over the platform. The plates |58 of each platform section are raised -thereabove just sufficient to allow the marginal portionslof the wire Astock and the fabric strips folded thereover to slide therenv under.v The forward end section |54 of each plate AIt projects beyond the` bracketv supportr |62 .tnerefor'and is preferably flared upwardly as shown in Fig.- 1 to facilitate movement of the fabric strips and the wire stock thereunder.

At one or more positions alongv each side of the platform a stitching machine is provided for securing the marginal fabric strips to the wire stock as it continuously advances along the plat--V form. As shown in Fig. l, two stitching machines |66 and |63 are shown mounted on the same side of the platform, it'being understood that a similar pair of stitching machines are located on the op posite side of ythe platform and in line therewith. The stitching machines are generally of conventional design except for a novel feature hereinafter particularly described for preventing breakage of needles when striking any portion of the wire stock. Referring to Figs. 1 and 8, each oppositely disposed set -of stitching machines is supported upon 'a transversely extending gener ally rectangular'shaped frame which `seats upon and projects beyond the longitudinal side bars 33"-30. The frame for each pair of oppositely disposed stitchers comprises a pair of elongated upwardly converging side members llt-| exe tending transversely to the longitudinal dimension of the machine, one of which is shown in the sectional view of Fig. 8. The opposite ends 10 of the side members of each frame are connected together by short members Il2;|'|2. Each frame vrests cross-wise on the longitudinalv side bars 30-*30 of the machine and as shown inFig. 8 are secured thereto by bolts |14 which extend verticallythrough the side barsinto the :bottom edges of the side members |`||lee|ii of the frame.

Each stitching mechanism |68 'comprises an inwardly curved head I'l arranged to overlie the adjacent folded fabric strip 98 on the wire stock. The head llt supported in upright position on aA baseplate |18 which rests upon andstraddles the sid'em'einbers llfiiLVill of the frame. The baseA plate is transversely adjustably secured to the frame by a' vertical bolt |80 which projects downwardly in the space between the side meme bers and isl connected at its lower end to a cross member |82 which abuts the bottom edges of both side members. Loosening the bolt |80 will permit the stitching machine to be shifted transversely along the side members Iltil either tov/'ard or away from the platform and thereby varyY the position of the line of stitching on the fabric strip over which the stitcher head is disv posed. Y I

Each s'titcherY head |76 is equipped with a pressery foot |83 and a vertically reciprocating needle bar |84 having a needle |36 on the lower end to which a thread |88 is fed in the conven-- tional manner. The needle bar is reciprocate'd 1oyal'ieedle bar actuating lever |90 pivoted on a laterally projecting pin |"92 and connected to the bar through the link |94. AY driving member |95 'for the lever of Vgenerally'y T-sha'ped formation is disposed.Y in offset l*parallel relation to the lever and haso'ne end of the cross of the 'l' separately pivotally mountedon the pin |92. The opposite end of the'cross of the T is connected ltothe upper end of a vertical arm |98, the lower yend of which is providedwith albearing whichembraces a circular cam l28d eccentrically mounted on 'a rotate ing shaft 262. The lever itil) is provided with ja downwardly and rearwardly curved portion 204 which is shaped at its outer end to abut the leg t of the 'T-'shaped member |96 and serves as a stop limiting downward swinging movement of the4 needle bar relative to the T-shaped member.-

A distinctly `novel feature of the present inven tionnis the provision for yieldingly driving the needle of each stitching mechanism and which in the event the needle should strike a portion of the wire stock will allow the needleto discontinue further penetranoncf the fabric material while vents breakage of the needle and eliminates 'they need of providing means forcontrolling the action of the needle to avoid the sections of the wire stock passing thereunder.` This operating fear; ture is preferably accomplished by providing a yielding driving connection between the needle barrac'tuating lever vI-Elanol the T-shaped driving member |96 therefor. Referring to Figs. 8 and 10, the lever |98 is provided with an' upwardly and rearwardly extending arm 266 which is flanged `inwardly at its upper end to provide a)l horizontal portion 2te which overlies the member |96 in spaced relation thereto.` A heavy coiled spring 21|) is located in this space, the upper' end of which vis seatedy on the portionZll of the arm and the lower end of which is seated onthe rearwardly extendingcross of the T of the meme' ber 95; In normal operation, rocking move-V ment of the T-'shaped member imparted thereto by the reciprocating arm leis transmitted through the spring 2I6 and causes the lever 196 to rock therewith and impart a downward stroke to the needle bar. In the event the needle should strike a portion of the wire stock as it penetrates the fabric material, the spring 2li] will yield allowing the needle to discontinue further downward movement and permitting the moving parts of the stitching machine to uninterruptedly continue their cycle of operation until the member |196 is rocked in the direction to lift the lever and the needle to the upper ends of their strokes.

Each stitching machine 168 is provided with a fiat table 212 under the head |16 thereof having an opening 214 as shown in Fig. 9 across which a slotted plate 216 extends. The latter is located under the needle bar 184 and is provided with a circular aperture 2I8 through which the needle reciprocates. The table 2 I2 is on the same plane and co-extensive with the platform section 34 over which the head lies and as the wire stock passes thereby the adjacent fabric covered side margin of the stock passes over the table and over the opening through which the needle operates. Below the opening of the table, the stitching machine is provided with a conventional looper (not shown) which is operated in timed synchronism with the actuating lever |66 by a rod 226 which extends rearwardly under the table and is pivotally connected to the leg of the T-shaped member |96.

To provide clearance for the adjacent chain track and to assist in supporting the plate i, the operating shaft 282 of each stitching machine |68 is extended so as to project under and inwardly beyond the track as shown in Figs. 8 and 9. Mounted on the inner projected end of the shaft 262 is a sleeve 222 fixed to the housing of the stitching machine. The upper side of the sleeve is provided with a flat face 224 (Fig. 9) which abuts the underside of the track plate 46 assisting in the support thereof while at the same time serving as a journal support for the shaft. The sleeve 222 terminates short of the inner projecting end of the shaft and mounted on the latter is a collar 226 carrying an eccentric mounting 226 for a rocking curved arm 236 which is connected by bracket 232 to a plate 234 for operating parts of the stitching mechanism under the table forming no part of the present invention. It is understood that other operating parts ofthe stitching machine illustrated in Figs. 8, 9 and 10 are shown but since these parts are conventional they are not particularly referred to herein.

The operating Shaft 262 of each pair of opposed Stitching machines carries a gear 236 on the outer end thereof which meshes with a gear 238 fixed to but axially adjustable on a transversely extending drive shaft 246 running the entire length of the frame between the side members [1U-110 thereof and journaled in the end members I12-I12 thereof. Intermediate the ends of the shaft a sheave wheel 242 is fixed about which is passed an endless belt 244. The latter as shown in Fig. 8 is passed around a sheave wheel 246 xed on a shaft 248 located below and extending parallel to the shaft 240. Shaft 248 is supported for rotation by journal blocks 256-256 which are suspended from the shaft 246 by the arms 252-252. Shaft 248 carries a larger sheave wheel 254 around which a forwardly and slightly downwardly inclined endless belt 256 is passed. The latter as shown in Figs. 1 and '1 is passed between two juxtaposed conical shaped sheave wheels 258 and 268 mounted on a shaft 262 and forming a Reeves transmission for varying the speed at which the belt 256 is driven. This is accomplished by axially adjusting one of the conical sheave wheels relative to the other in accordance with this type of variable speed transmission, and for which purpose a handle 264 and control shaft 266 is provided. One of the conical sheave wheels is peripherally grooved to receive one end of an endless drive belt 268 which extends rearwardly as shown in Fig. 1 to an electric motor 216 slidably adjustably mounted on the horizontal frame member I4.

The forward opposed pair of stitching machines may be driven from each of the rear set by an endless belt connection 212 extending between the two operating shafts 262 of the machines located on the same side of the platform. As shown in Figs. l and 8 the connecting belt is trained over corresponding sheave wheels 214` fixed on the shafts 202 adjacent to the gear 236.

The stitched fabric and wire stock is conveyed rearwardly from the stitching machine positions by the chains 26 and 28 and separated therefrom as the chain links change from a straight line motion to pass around the rear set of sprocket wheels 24. As previously described, the links as they engage the sprocket wheels are carried downwardly therearound and are pivoted with respect to one another to spread the cooperating recesses |56 and open the wire gripping jaws. However, to insure that the transverse portions 94 of the wire stock are sprung out of the chain gripping jaws, the rear ends of the outer platform sections Sil-34 are each provided with means which yieldingly urges the wire portions out of the jaws. As shown in Figs. 1 and 13 there is provided on the extremity of each platform section 34 a flexible plate 216 of rectangular formation having its forward end section secured by bolts 218 or the like to the upper side of the platform section. The intermediate portion of each plate is bent or curved upward to a height above the level of the platform and the raised portions 154 of the chain links. The rear end section of each plate may be slightly curved downwardly as shown.

As the fabric covered side margins of the wire stock travel over the plates 216 they are lifted thereby imposing a tension on the wire portions 94 in the jaws of the chain links tending to spring the same upwardly out of the jaws. The jaws of the links open gradually as the links change their direction of movement to pass around the sprocket wheels 24 and the upward tension imposed on the wire portions 94 snaps them out of the jaws. The variable pressure impressed on the plates 216 as successive sections 94 of the wire stock are freed causes the free end of the plates to vibrate at a relatively rapid rate in an upward and downward direction further increasing the upward tension upon the wire sections to release them from the conveyor chains. The vibratory action of the plates has been found in practice to be better than a rigid elevation and to positively insure the release of the wire stock from the conveyor.

The freed fabric covered marginal portions of the wire stock are passed over a pair of drums 28B-286 which as shown in Fig. 12 are mounted on a shaft 282 and axially spaced thereon to receive the side margins of the wire stock. The opposite ends of the shaft are journaled in the vertical sections of a pair of correspondingly shaped frame members 284-284. The frame members are each provided with a forwardly and downwardly inclined section which are supportingly mounted on the rear ends of the side frame members 36-36 of the machine. Overlying each .geneest drum 28a is a smaller erumfzse freely romane:

on a common shaft 288. The opposite ends of the shaft 238 are supported in vertical slots 29S of the frame members 284-284 and the smaller drums are resiliently urged downwardly upon the larger drums by lcoiled springs 292 each connected at one end onto the shaft 288 and fixed to a projecting lugv 291i on each frame member thc-rebelow. Shaft 282and the drums 283-260 are operatively connected to the conveyor' for rotation therefrom by means of an endless chain 296 passed around sprocket gears on the shaftk 282 and the shaft 9B of the rear set of sprocket wheels 24. After passing over the drums 285-2 85,

the combined wire stock and fabric strip article may be fed downwardly as shownin Fig. 1 and collected in bundles or rolls for future use.

However, in many instances it is desirable to add one or more additional fabric strips to the article formed by the machine thus far described. For this purpose va removable'smaller unit is mounted in the rear of theV machine in position to receive thev spring liner material produced thereby and provision is made for feeding fabric material thereto and securing the same to the wire stock. Referring to'Figs. 13', 14andf15, a unit of this character isshown comprising a floor engaging support 3mi generally similar to that previously des'cribed'upon which an openl rectangular frame 3M is mounted. Supportedk and reciprocatingly supporting a needle' bar 3l()v which is located on the unit approximately midway between the opposite side margins of the spring liner advanced thereunder. A table 3|2 forming part of the stitching machine is co-e'xtensiv'e with the upper surface. of a rectangularly shaped frame supported member 3l2l','the.

two together serving as a platform across which the previously formed spring lineris continuonsly advanced. The remaining parts of the stitching mechanism are the same as those described previously.

An additional fabricstrip. 316 of burlap or the like is fed from a roll Sit of this material which is mounted centrally above the spring liner forwardly of the stitching machine ttt-333. For this purpose, as shown in Fig. 13, the roll SIS is mounted on a transverse shaft 320 carried upon the upper ends of two vertical arms 322 disposed on opposite sides of the machine and -connected in any suitable manner to rear frame assembly 22 thereof over a roller 324 located above the shaft 282 and thence between the roller -and a second lower roller 323 o'fsrnaller size which freely rotates on the vshaft 28.8 immediately above the spring liner passing thereunder. The roller 324 is oscillatingly supported for bodily vertical movement relative to the roller 326 il order to accommodate any variations in the thickness of the fabric strip SI5 and to smooth the feed thereof to the liner material. the roller 324 is carried by a pair of correspondingly shaped arms 328-328 which extend rearwardly parallel to one another and are p-ivotally connected to a transverse shaft 339; The op-v For this purpose posit@ ends 'of the latter are connectedto @pair of vertically extending right angularly shaped bracket members 332-332 which are located in corresponding positions on opposite sides of the machine andas shown in Fig. 13 have their lower ends secured to the frame' members 284-284.

The stitching machine is driven by an endless chain 334, one end of which is trained over a sprocket gear 33t fixed on thevmain shaft 338 of the stitcher corresponding to shaft 24E] previ-- ously described and the opposite end of which 1 ispassed over a sprocket gear 34 on the shaft 90. In operation, the stitcher 308 forms a central fabric strip in the Aspring rliner of the character shown at |32 in Fig. 17. If desired two stitching machines 333 maybe located side-byside to stitch a double row of threads in the central fabric strip such as shown at i4-|04 in Fig. 17. Wider central strips may be secured to the spring liner material and in such cases the' lines of stitching securing the same to the liner material may be spaced relatively widely apart.

What we claim is:

1. A spring liner forming machine comprising, in combination, an elongated platform, a movable mounted member on the platform adapted to travel the length thereof, means for feeding successive sections of laterally bent wire stock upon one end of said platform, and means for causing said member to engage successive sections of said. bent wire stock as it is fed upon the platform and to carry the same therewith while it travels to the other end of the platform.

2. A spring liner forming machine comprising, in combination, an elongated platform, a movable mounted member on the platform adapted to travel the length thereof, means for feeding successive sections of reversely laterally bent wire stock upon one end of said platform, means for causing said member to engage successive sections of said bent wire as it is fed upon the platform and to carry the same therewith while it travels tothe other end of the platform, means for feeding liner material into engagement with at least one side margin ofV said bent wire stock as it is fed upon the platform and causingv the same to travel with the wire the full length of the platform, and means mounted adjacent to the path of travel of the wire and the liner material over the platform for securing the same together.

3. In a machine for formingspring liners, a-

platform, a toothed wheel mounted vabove one end of the platform and adapted to engage successive sections of a reversely laterally bent wire stock and feed the same upon the platform, and an end.- less linked chain having a portion of itslength adjacent to said platform and movable from said end of the platform to the other end thereof, the

individual links of said chain being provided with wire gripping means adapted toengage the, wire stock as it is fed upon the platform by said toothed wheel and carry the wire stock therewith to the other end of the platform.

4. In a machine for forming spring liners, a platform, a sprocket wheel mounted above one end of the platform and adapted to engage reversely laterally bent wire stock and feed the same upon the platform, an endless linked chain having a portion Aof its length disposed adjacent to the platform and movable from said end of the platform to the other end theerof, the individual as it is fed upon the platform by said sprocket wheel and carry the wire stock therewith to the other end of the platform, means for feeding a strip of liner material into folded overlapping engagement with one side margin of the wire stock and causing the same to travel with the wire stock along said platform, and a stitching device mounted alongside of the platform and adapted to stitch the overlapping portions of the strip of liner material together between the reversely bent portions of the wire stock.

5. In a machine for forming spring liners, a supporting frame carrying a substantially horizontal platform on the upper portion thereof, an endless linked chain adapted to have a portion of its length moved longitudinally along the platform from one end to the other end thereof, a toothed wheel rotatable about a horizontal axis and disposed above said first mentioned end of the platform and adapted to feed successive sections of reversely laterally bent wire stock upon the platform, each pair of the links of said endless chain cooperating with one another to grip transversely extending portions of the Wire stock and cause the same to travel therewith the length of the platform, means for feeding a strip of fabric material to said first end of the platform and folding the same in overlapping engagement with one side margin of the wire stock, means for causing the folded fabric strip to travel with the wire stock over the platform, and a stitching device supported by the frame adjacent to the path of travel of the wire stock and the fabric liner on the platform and adapted to stitch the fabric liner to the wire stock as it advances along the platform.

6. In a machine for forming spring liners, a frame supporting a horizontal elongated platform, a pair of endless linked chains supported by the frame adjacent to the opposite side portions of the platform and adapted to have a portion of their respective lengths travel alongside the platform from one end to the other end thereof, a pair of toothed wheels rotatable about a common horizontal axis mounted by the frame above said first mentioned end of the platform, said toothed wheels adapted to engage successive sections of reversely laterally bent wire and carry the same thereunder onto said rst mentioned end of the platform and in the same direction of travel as said portions of the chains, each link of said chains being shaped to cooperate with adjacent links to form Wire gripping means and adapted as the Wire is fed upon the platform to engage the wire and carry the same therewith from said end of the platform to the other end thereof.

7. In a machine of the class described, a frame, an elongated substantially horizontally extending table supported by the frame, an endless linked chain, means carried by the frame for supporting the linked chain adjacent to the table such that a portion of the chain is substantially on the level of the table and for causing said portion of the chain to move parallel to the longitudinal dimension of the table from one end to the other end thereof, means for feeding laterally bent wire stock upon said first mentioned end of the table, the individual links of said chain each provided adjacent to at least one end thereof with a wire receiving notch adapted to cooperate with a similar notch in the next adjacent link to form a jaw for gripping a portion of said wire stock thus fed upon the table and carry the wire stock therewith as they move the length of the table.

8. In a machine of the class described, a frame, an elongated substantially horizontally extending table supported by the frame, a pair of endless linked chains, means carried by the frame for supporting the chains on opposite sides of the table such that one portion of each chain extends on the level of the table and for causing the said portions of the chains to move at the same rate of speed parallel to the table from one end to the other end thereof, means for feeding reversely laterally bent wire stock upon said rst mentioned end of the table, each individual link of said chain provided adjacent to its opposite ends with a wire receiving notch adapted to cooperate With similar notches in the next adjacent links thereto to form jaws for releasably gripping laterally extending portions of said wire stock thus fed upon the table, the jaws formed by the notches of the links being selfoperable to either open or closed position by the change of direction of the motion of the chains either into or out of a straight line.

9. In a machine of the class described, a frame, an elongated substantially horizontally extending table supported by the frame, an endless linked chain, means carried by the frame for supporting and moving a portion of the chain parallel to the longitudinal dimension of the table on substantially the plane of the upper surface thereof including a sprocket Wheel adjacent to one end of the table, means for feeding reversely laterally bent wire stock upon the table adjacent to said sprocket wheel, the individual links of said chain being provided with at least one wire receiving notch adapted to cooperate with a similar notch in the next adjacent link thereto to form a jaw for gripping a laterally extending portion of the wire stock fed upon the table, said links as they pass around said sprocket wheel being pivoted in one direction with respect to one another to open the jaws to receive laterally extending portions of the wire stock as they are fed upon the table and being pivoted in the opposite direction after they leave the sprocket wheel for straight line motion to close the jaws into gripping engagement with the portions of the wire stock received therewithin.

10. In a machine of the class described, a frame, an elongated substantially horizontally extending table supported by the frame, an endless chain formed of pivotally connected links, a pair of sprocket wheels for the endless chain supported by the frame adjacent to the opposite ends of the table and rotatable about the horizontal axes, said sprocket wheels being so located with respect to the table that when rotated they cause a portion of the chain length to enter upon the level of the table at one end thereof for straight line motion to the opposite end of the table, means for feeding successive sections of a reversely laterally bent wire stock upon the table in the direction of the motion of said portion of the linked chain, the individual links of said chain each provided with at least one wire receiving notch adapted to cooperate with a similar notch on the next adjacent link thereto to form a jaw for gripping a portion of the wire stock, said links as they pass around the sprocket wheel prior to entering upon the table level for straight line motion adapted to pivot with respect to one another to open the jaws for receiving portions of the wire stock and further adapted when leaving the sprocket wheel for straight line motion :to pivot inthe opposite'direction-with respect Ato one another to close the jaws into gripping engagement with the portions of the wire stock received therewithin.

l1. In a machine of the class described, a frame, an elongated substantially horizontally extending table supported by the frame, a pair of endless chains each formed of a series of pivotally connected links, a pair of sprocket wheels for -each endless chain supported by the frame adjacent to the opposite ends of the table and rotatable about horizontal axes, the sprocket wheels for one chain being located on one side of the table and the sprocket wheels for the other chain being located on the other side of the table and Yso related to the table that when rotated a portion of their respective chain 'lengths enters upon the level of the table at one end thereof and travels the length thereof, means for feeding successive sections of reversely laterally bent wire stock upon said entering end of said table, the individual links of each endless chain being each provided with a recess adjacent to the opposite ends thereof adapted to cooperate with similar recesses in the next adjacent links to form jaws for gripping the laterally extending portions of the wire stock, said links as they pass around the sprocket wheels adjacent 'to said entering end yof the table adapted to pivot with respect to one another to open the jaws for receiving laterally extending portions of the wire stock fed upon the table and adapted when leaving the sprocket wheels for straight line motion to pivot with respect to one another to close the jaws for griplping engagement with -the portions of the wire stock 'received therewithin, said links further adapted as they pass karound the sprocket wheels at the opposite end of the table to pivot `with re spect to one another to open the jaws and release the portions -of the wire stock received therewithin. l

l2, In a machine of the class described, an elongated substantially horizontal table provided with a longitudinally extending upwardly opening slot running the length of the table, an endless chain having a portion of its length located in said slot, means for causing said chain to travel in the slot from one end of the table to the 'other end thereof, means for feeding reversely bent wire stock having transversely extending portions upon the table in the direction of the travel of said chain and in such a manner as to cause the transversely extending portions thereof to overlie the slot, and means carried by the chain projecting above the level of the table and engaging the transversely extending portions of the wire stookoverlying the slot for causing the wire stock to move therewith the length of the table.

13."In a machine of `the class described, an elongated substantially horizontal table provided with a lrecessed track running the length thereof, wire advancing means movable in one direction along the track and projecting above theV level of the table, means for -feeding reversely laterally vbent wire stock upon the `table in the same direc tion of movement as said wire advancing means and with transversely extending portions of the wire stock overlying the track, the projecting portions of said wire advancing Vmeans provided with releasable jaws adapted to grip the transversely extending portions of the wire stock overlying the track and cause the wire stock to travel therewith vas said advancing means moves the length of the table.

14. In a mach-ine for Aforming spring liners, an

'elongated table provided with a recessed track running the length thereof, means for feeding re'- versely bent wire stock having transversely extending portions upon one end of the table so that the transversely extending portions thereof overlie the track, means for feeding a strip of liner material to said end of the table and into engagement with portions of the wire stock off'- set to that overlying the track, means, movable in said track from said end of the table to the other end thereof and projecting above the level of the table for engagement with the trans'- versely extending portions of the wire stock over#- lying the track, said last means adapted to ad# vance wire stock therewith and cause the same to travel the length of the table, and means adljacent to the path of travel of'said wire stock for stitching the liner material to the wire stock'.

l5. In a machine for forming spring linersfan elongated table provided with a recessed track running the length thereof, means for feeding reversely bent wire stock having laterally ex tending portions upon one end of the table in such a manner that the laterally extending portions thereof overlie the track and project on opposite sides thereof, means for feeding a lstrip of liner material to said end of the table and causing the same to engage a portion of the wire stock to one side of said track, an endless chain formed of a series of pivotally connected links having a part of its length located in said recessed track and extending the length thereof, means for causing said chain to travel along said said track from said first ymentioned end of ,the table to the other end thereof, the individual links of said chain having portions thereof projecting above the level of the table and shaped to provide jaws adapted to grip the laterally ex-4 tending portions of the wire stock overlying the track and to cause the same to move therewith the length of the table, and stitching means over-v lying the table and provided with a vertical reciprocating needle adapted to pierce the liner material as it passes thereunder and secure `the same to the wire stock. l

16. In a machine .for forming spring liners, an elongated table provided with an .upwardly opening recessed track running substantially the length thereof, means for feeding reversely bent wire stock upon one end of the table in such a manner that transverse sections of the stock over.- lie the track and project beyond the opposite sides thereof, means for feeding a strip of liner i material to said end of the table Vand for causing to cooperate with a similar recess on the projecting portion of the Vnext successive link Ito form jaws for gripping the transversely extending sections of the wire stock overlying the track and causing the same to move therewith, means fortensioning' the strip of liner material to move in the same direction as said chain and wire stock, and stitching means supported by the table on one side of the track and provided with a vertical reciprocating needle adapted to pierce the liner material and stitch the same to the wire stock.

17. In a machine for forming spring liners, an elongated substantially horizontal table having a material entering end and a material discharge end and provided with a pair of parallel spaced apart upwardly opening recessed tracks running substantially the length of the table, means for feeding reverselv bent zigzag shaped wire stock upon the entering end of the table such that transverse sections of the stock overlie the pair of recessed tracks, a pair of sprocket wheels associated with each track and disposed adjacent to the opposite ends thereof, an endless chain for each track and associated set of sprocket wheels, said chains each being formed of a pivotally connected series of links and being trained about their respective sets of sprocket wheels such that a part of their lengths are disposed in their respective recessed tracks, means for rotating said sprocket wheels in the direction to move said parts of the chains along the tracks from said material entering end of the table to the other end thereof, each individual link having a portion thereof projecting above the level of the table and shaped with a recess adapted to cooperate with a similar recess on the projecting portion of the next successive link to form a pair of jaws, said links as they change from a curved to a straight line motion at the entering end of the table pivoting with respect to one another to close the jaws thereof upon the transverse sections of the wire stock for joint movement of the chains and wire stock along the table, and said links as they change from a straight line motion to a curved motion at the discharge end of the table pivoting with respect to one another to open the jaws and release the4v wire stock therefrom.

18. In a machine for forming spring liners, an elongated substantially horizontal table having a material entering end and a material discharge end and provided with pair of parallel spaced apart upwardly opening recessed tracks running substantially the length of the table, means for feeding reversely bent zigzag shaped wire stock upon the entering end of the table such that transverse sections of the stock overlie the pair of recessed tracks, a pair of sprocket wheels associated with each track and disposed adjacent to the opposite ends thereof, an endless chain for each track and associated set of sprocket wheels, said chains each being formed of a pivotally connected series of links and being trained about their respective sets of sprocket wheels such that a part of their lengths are disposed in their respective recessed tracks, means for rotating said sprocket wheels in the direction to move said parts of the chains along the tracks from said material entering end of the table to the other end thereof, each individual link having a portion thereof proiecting above the level of the table and shaped with a recess adapted to cooperate with a similar recess on the projecting portion of the next successive link to form a pair of jaws, said links as they change from a curved to a straight line motion at the entering end of the table pivoting with respect to one another to close the jaws thereof upon the transverse sections of the wire stock for joint movement of the chains and wire stock along the table, and said links as they change from a straight line motion to a curved motion at the discharge end of the table pivoting with respect to one another to open the jaws and release the wire stock therefrom, and means at the discharge end of the table acting to elevate the wire stock above the level of the table to assist in the release of the wire stock from the jaws of the chain links.

19. In a machine of the class described, an elongated substantially horizontally extending table having a material entering end and a material discharge end and provided with an upwardly opening groove running substantially the full length thereof and forming a recessed track, a sprocket wheel disposed below and adjacent to each end of the track, an endless chain composed of a pivotally connected series of links trained over said sprocket wheels and arranged such that a part of the chain length is disposed in said recessed track, means for rotating said sprocket wheels to advance said part of the chain length from said material entering end of the table to the other end thereof, each individual link of the chain having a portion thereof projecting above the level of the table and shaped to cooperate with a similar projecting portion of the next adjacent link thereto to form a self-operable jaw for gripping the material and conveying the same the length of the track, said links being responsive to the change from a curved to a straight line motion at the entering end of the table to close the jaws upon the material for joint movement of the chain and material to the opposite end of the table and being responsive to the change from a straight line motion to a curved motion at the discharge end of the table to open the jaws and release the material therefrom.

20. In a machine of the class described, a elongated substantially horizontally extending table having a material entering end and a material discharge end, a sprocket wheel at each end of the table, an endless chain composed of a series of pivotally connected links trained over said sprocket wheels and arranged such that a part of its length extends longitudinally of the table and substantially flush with the upper surface thereof, means for rotating said sprocket wheels to advance said part of the chain length from said material entering end of the table to the material discharge end thereof, jaw elements carried by individual links of the chain cooperating with jaw elements on adjacent links for releasably gripping material and responsive to the change of the links from a curved motion to a straight line motion at the entering end of the table to close the jaw elements on material for conveying the same to the opposite end of the table and responsive to the change of the links from a straight line motion to a curved motion at the material discharge end of the table to open the jaw elements for releasing the material.

21. In a machine of the class described, a conveyor chain composed of a series of pivotally connected links, means for advancing said chain in a curved path of travel and thereafter advancing the chain in a straight path of travel, a jaw element on each successive individual link of the chain shaped to cooperate With a jaw element on the immediate adjacent link of the chain for releasably gripping a wire, said jaw elements being responsive to the change in direction of travel of the chain from said curved path to said straight path to move from an open wire receiving position to a closed wire gripping position to carry the wire with the chain along its straight path of movement.

22. In a machine of the class described, an elongated platform, means for feeding laterally bent wire stock upon one end of the platform, an endless exible member having a section of its length adapted to travel along the platform from said end to the other end thereof, and gripping means carried by said member engageable With portions of said bent wire stock to cause the same to travel the length of the platform.

23. In a machine of the class described, a platform, means for feeding a reversely bent wire to one end of the platform, means for feeding 1 fabric material to said end of the platform and for causing said fabric material to overlie the bent Wire on the platform, means adjacent to the path of travel of said wire and said fabric material for stitching the latter to the Wire, an endless flexible drive member arranged to have a section of its length travel along the platform from said end of the platform to the other end of the platform, and gripping means carried by said endless drive member engageable with por- REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 413,757 Lewy Oct. 29, 1889 1,894,409 Mathewson Jan. 17, 1933 i5 2,200,605 Pierce May 14, 1940 2,358,689 Dasher Sept. 19, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 431,920 Great Britain July 17, 1935 

